First off , I am new here and have read about some of the 5.4 swaps , yes I can use the search !! I am on Mustang Corral and found alot of info for my Mark 8 Lincoln with a Vortech supercharger and Cobra intake + etc.

My questions here are :

1 doesn't the lightning shortblock have forged rods and pistons ?

2 assuming a stock type tune and pulleys will mileage of the 5.4 n/a vs. 5.4 Lightning under regular driving be that drastic of a change ?

3 I have a PI stallion converter (2800) from my Lincoln that needs a multi disc now( blown stroker 4.6) and I am considering using it in my truck , I don't tow in OD ever - opinions ? It is much smaller and lighter than the factory converter , is the factory converter better for durability ? I guess the PI clutch disc is smaller ?

4 My 03 Supercrew 4x4 has a 5.4 n/a in it now and runs great w 107k on it. I can get a Lightning engine and trans for 1500$ with 16k on it.
I am thinking about going through my 4r70w to keep the swap simpler and using the entire Lightning engine. Besides a retune , can the factory harness be modified to work here or ? I had to lengthen wires on my MK8 swap , I used to be a Ford dealer tech so I am not worried about the small details , but the truck is my daily driver so I have to do this swap relatively quickly. Is the harness of one of the guys on here a modified one or can I just get it from my dealer buddies ?

thanks for the opinions , I love my 03 Supercrew Lariat and really could use the lower mileage engine and extra power. Plus the tranny is getting ready for a freshen anyway , I'd rather build it before it is burnt. Now seems the perfect time before winter in Chicagoland. Thanks !!

 

yes you can modify your stock harness to work with the new engine, you will have to lengthen and shorten alot of wires but it has been done before.

 

Please send me a message to who did the tune , and can you get it with a handheld tuner to adjust timing and the a/f ratio ? Thanks , Dennis

 

sal at powersurge performance does a good tune, just make sure you get it dynoed afterwords my AFs were way off, and as far as hand held tuners go i got the Xcal 2 and it works well

 

1 doesn't the lightning shortblock have forged rods and pistons ?

Pistons yes, rods no, that is the weak point. About 14psi is a safe limit on the eaton, many have pushed it past that with other blowers, cams etc.

2 assuming a stock type tune and pulleys will mileage of the 5.4 n/a vs. 5.4 Lightning under regular driving be that drastic of a change ?

NO, but you'll need to run premium, but who wants a stock tune or pulleys?? Haha

4 My 03 Supercrew 4x4 has a 5.4 n/a in it now and runs great w 107k on it. I can get a Lightning engine and trans for 1500$ with 16k on it.
I am thinking about going through my 4r70w to keep the swap simpler and using the entire Lightning engine. Besides a retune , can the factory harness be modified to work here or ? I had to lengthen wires on my MK8 swap , I used to be a Ford dealer tech so I am not worried about the small details , but the truck is my daily driver so I have to do this swap relatively quickly. Is the harness of one of the guys on here a modified one or can I just get it from my dealer buddies ?

That is what I'd do. The 4r70w can be built to handle alot of power. Your harness can be fixed to work. for that price, are you sure the blower etc comes with it?

 

Yes , it is a deal , It's been at the yard for quite a while and they want to get rid of it now , they were asking too much before and demand now has dropped off, it's missing the intake piping from the TB outward ,and MAF, and the cooler tank and the external heat exchanger and throttle cables (stuff I would need) , Now that I know about the shortblock , I am not so interested in the longblock , The forged pistons are great but the powdered metal rods are junk ! my Vortech powered Lincon 4.6 shattered a rod and turned the original shortblock to junk instantly at 10 psi @ 18 deg timing 11.5 a/f. I would be using the stock pulleys for stock boost. What is that on a 2002 Lightning stock ? ( after all I am n/a now and have .5 higher compression ratio and just looking for a little more torque ). Other guys here have just 'topped' a N/A engine with the blower and I have not heard any issues , I just figure on not overdoing it.

I am just looking for more power for my 4x4 and my buddy at the yard has all this available , if it weren't for him I would probably keep the damn thing stock for reliability , I wish he never told me !! but I sure could throw the intake and other parts on there. only if I can get a tune that would make it safe and drive like a stock vehicle , just more power for towing my Lincoln.

If I can get away with just using the intake assy , I would be interested in selling the longblock and trans , my buddy has to work the office to get the price he was thinking so we'll see. Possibly anyone interested in the Longblock and trans ? it's a 2002 w 16k miles, that would help me offset buying stuff that I really don't need anyways , but I can never just leave my vehicles alone !! , Thanks !! Denny

 

Where are you located?

Stock pulley combo is 8psi for a lightning.

The stock motor isn't junk. Done right they are good for 500rwhp. I wouldn't push the n/a motor much over 400rwhp.

Just topping your motor is fine but you'll still have a higher mileage motor and you'll need to attend to the tranny either way. You could up the boost some safely on a N/A motor and a solid tune can be had by either getting it dyno tuned by a reliable tuner or mail order and some datalogging.

 

I am in Chicagoland , you're right , the point of the low mileage is reason enough for the complete engine swap , and add a good exhaust , keep the tune conservative and build my trans. F150 Super Crew FX4 Lariat w/Lightning power , WOW fully loaded !! the fact alot of guys are upgrading the coolant tanks and heat exchangers and air intake pipes could save me on spending too much on the swap , I want it as factory as possible. Thanks !

Anyone know if the engine can come out the front ? or do I have to raise the cab off the frame ?? ( I have a lift )

 

You can do it without messing with the cab.

Phil